Industrial Water Testing & Analysis
Choose AQUALIS for Industrial Water Testing
Industrial water testing, also called discharge monitoring, measures contaminant levels in your facility’s water supply to ensure it meets regulatory standards. AQUALIS performs on-site sampling and laboratory-ready analysis to identify pollutant levels and trends that may affect permits or system performance.
We routinely help industrial organizations address issues such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), total settleable solids (TSS), oil & grease and other contaminants that impact stormwater monitoring results as well as the functionality of stormwater systems. Accurate data reduces costs, improves reliability and supports long-term environmental compliance. Whether your permit requires visual, benchmark, indicator, impaired or effluent monitoring, AQUALIS is here to support your discharge monitoring needs.
Why Is Industrial Water Testing Necessary?
Industrial water quality testing plays a critical role in meeting stormwater permit requirements. These permits define what must be monitored, how often sampling is required and the acceptable limits for contaminants.
Why facilities rely on commercial water testing:
- Compliance: Confirms discharge meets permit limits
- Early detection: Identifies elevated pollutants before they cause system failures
- Operational reliability: Highlights issues affecting equipment, processes or water systems
- Environmental protection: Prevents contaminants from entering surrounding waterways
Dependable water treatment systems create a higher quality of life, so it’s essential to understand how water is contaminated, how it is treated and what part we all play in this process.
The presentation will introduce a regionally consistent framework that communities and regulators can use including water quality, volume reduction, costs and operation and maintenance burdens
Features of a Water Analysis Report
Once the lab has tested your water, you will receive a water analysis report based on the requirements of compliance. This will include a list of the contaminants tested, the concentrations measured and whether the results fall within permitted limits.
Most reports include:
- Contaminants measured — metals, chemicals, bacteria, solids, nutrients
- Concentrations detected — shown as numerical values
- Units of measurement — typically mg/L, µg/L, NTU, or pH
- EPA or permit limits — the thresholds used to evaluate compliance
- Notes or exceedances — flags anything above permitted levels
AQUALIS will provide a clear, easy-to-read analysis that helps facility managers respond quickly to any issues and maintain permit compliance.
Types of Industrial Stormwater Monitoring Requirements
When getting discharge monitoring done, your stormwater permit will specify the type of testing required for your site. Each monitoring requirement varies in the level of testing needed.
Visual Assessments
Facilities are required to regularly collect a sample after a storm event and look for visual indicators of stormwater pollution, including:
- Color
- Odor
- Clarity
- Floating materials
- Oil sheen
These assessments help initiate corrective actions to resolve deficiencies at the site.
Benchmark Monitoring
Benchmark monitoring involves collecting stormwater samples from a site’s discharge point(s) for laboratory analysis. Results are compared with benchmark thresholds to assess the effectiveness of stormwater control measures (SCMs).
Purpose:
- Evaluates how well stormwater controls are working
- Highlights potential pollutant sources
- Guides corrective actions if values trend upward
Benchmark exceedances do not warrant a violation. They do, however, require additional implementation measures (AIM) and follow-up monitoring to ensure improvements reduce pollutant levels.
Indicator Monitoring
Stormwater samples are collected from discharge points for analysis. Results are used to provide a baseline for industrial stormwater discharge quality and identify future water quality problems.
Typical indicators include:
- pH levels
- Total suspended solids (TSS)
- Oil and grease
Operators can use the results to track trends, evaluate fluctuations and guide updates to their SWPPP or SCMs if needed.
Impaired Waters Monitoring
If a facility discharges pollutants to an impaired waterbody, special monitoring requirements may apply, including:
- Tracking pollutants contributing to the impairment
- Ensuring facility discharges are not worsening waterbody conditions
- Supporting state and federal restoration goals
Effluent Limitations Monitoring
When a facility is subject to Federal effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) under a permit, sampling is required to ensure ongoing compliance. Exceeding an effluent limitation constitutes a permit violation and requires corrective action, along with additional sampling.
Why it matters:
- Results must meet strict numeric limits
- Exceedances can lead to permit violations
- Ensures stormwater discharges remain within federal or state thresholds
Facilities with industry-specific standards, such as minerals, metals or chemical processing, often fall under this monitoring category.
Common Contaminants
Contaminants can enter your site’s water supply from equipment, raw materials, vehicle traffic or chemical storage practices. Identifying what’s in your water is a crucial first step in protecting your equipment and maintaining safe operations.
AQUALIS thoroughly tests for all common contaminants in our industrial water testing services:
- Bacteria: Often introduced through natural runoff or facility operations. High levels can indicate sanitary issues and pose serious health risks.
- Heavy Metals: Metals such as zinc, copper, iron and lead are common in industrial runoff. Typically sourced from machinery, roofs or vehicle wear.
- Chemicals: Solvents, oils and industrial chemicals can enter stormwater through spills or improper storage. Even small amounts may require corrective action.
- Silica: Common in manufacturing, construction and mineral-based industries. Elevated silica levels can indicate erosion or material-handling issues.
- Chlorides & Sulfates: Linked to salts, de-icing materials and certain industrial processes. High concentrations can signal operational discharge problems.
- Turbidity: add something in here about TSS and COD being common issues on industrial sites.
Why Choose AQUALIS for Your Industrial Water Testing
AQUALIS provides accurate industrial water testing to help facilities stay compliant and protect their operations. Our team collects samples and delivers clear, actionable reports, so you always know the status of your water quality and compliance.
We support all major monitoring requirements, including visual assessments, benchmark sampling, indicator monitoring, impaired waters monitoring and effluent testing. Each service aligns with MSGP and NPDES standards to help reduce risk and prevent violations.
What you can expect from our industrial water testing:
- Precise sampling and laboratory-ready analysis
- Clear, easy-to-read reports
- Guidance for corrective actions and permit compliance
Our specialists provide reliable testing for manufacturing, logistics, utilities, energy and other industrial sectors. Trust AQUALIS to keep your site compliant with stormwater permit monitoring requirements.
Did you receive an NOV? Have an urgent need? We can help.
Reach out to an AQUALIS representative today.